The unidentified individual was struck by a MetroCentre to Morpeth service as it passed through Dunston just after 11am on Friday morning.

Emergency services, including the Great North Air Ambulance, were dispatched to the scene, but the man was pronounced dead.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: “Officers from BTP attended Dunston on Tyne railway station after receiving a report that a man had been struck by a train at the station.

“Medics from the North East Ambulance Service also attended but the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was reported to BTP at 11.06am and is being treated as non-suspicious.

“Officers are now working to identify the man, inform his family and establish the exact circumstances of what took place. They will then prepare a file for the coroner.”

A spokesman for Northern Rail said the incident had caused delays, but that the line reopened around 35 minutes after the man was hit by the train. The man was struck by the 11.02am Metro Centre to Morpeth service near to Dunston Station.

“There were some delays, with 30 people aboard the 10.45am Hexham to Nunthorpe service, which was held at Blaydon. The line reopened by 11.40am.”